Martin’s best finish in the race was in 2013, when he finished in 33rd place, when he finished over an hour and 13 minutes behind the then victor Froome.
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“(Teammate) Alejandro (Valverde) went flat out to chase that move, but it wasn’t enough”, Quintana added. He lead the race by almost three minutes after that, again never being overtaken.
When Froome was asked about a suggestion that the reason he hasn’t been able to attack successfully uphill in this Tour was because he doesn’t have a motor in his bike, Sky team principal Dave Brailsford responded for the rider.
Briton Adam Yates, Nairo Quintana of Colombia and Australian Richie Porte crossed the line with Froome, suggesting they may prove to be his main rivals this year. He also rode clear with a daring solo downhill attack and stage victory in Stage 8 in the Pyrenees.
“It was really just a spur of the moment thing”. “‘But push on and use that as a little bit of a disguise, if you like, to try and get a small gap and catch people out'”. If I can take any seconds, I will..
Rupert has reported cycling since 1984, first covering the Tour de France in 1987.
On the final climb up to Arcalis, the group of favourites was gradually whittled down but any time a rider put in an acceleration, the others jumped onto his rear wheel.
Most were surprised when the Movistar rider failed to attack late in Sunday’s stage to Andorre Arcalis, content to mark Froome all the way up the mountain, but the 26-year-old is biding his time.
“Tomorrow is another day for the sprinters’ teams”.
Few would have predicted that before the race and this showing, as well as his third overall in last month’s Critérium du Dauphiné, illustrates how much progress he has made in the past 12 months. “We actually got an email from the UCI yesterday saying thank you for being the most cooperative team out of everybody in the bike checks”. “But if nobody else is going to try and take control then we will”.
Yates already wears the white jersey of the Tour’s Best Under-25 Rider, but during today’s rest day in Andorra, he played down rising expectations of sustaining that level of performance in the Tour’s remaining two weeks.
Quintana and Froome now look set for a mouthwatering duel in the 12th stage on Thursday between Montpellier and the intimidating Mont Ventoux, where the Briton had beaten his rival by 29 seconds in 2013.
The race heads to the Alps in the third week, with a rare mountain time trial wedged in between several more grueling Alpine stages. “But also looking towards … stage 17, 18, 19 and 20”.
Pinot was dropped on the final steep climb to Arcalis, but had the consolation of wresting the polka dot jersey from Majka, having made significant inroads on the eighth stage won in such thrilling style by Froome.
Ominously for Chris Froome, the man widely regarded as his biggest rival, Nairo Quintana, hasn’t yet seemed under too much pressure and hasn’t yet showed his cards.
As for how the stage unfolded, I was very happy with it. I felt great and enjoyed attacking there on the last climb. “All the way up until the last km …” I think they’re fantastic. Maybe he’s saving it for one big move’.
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Sagan’s win strengthens his hold on the points leaders’ green jersey after he took it from Mark Cavendish on Tuesday and, given the mountains to come, the Slovakian looks certain to win the category for a fifth straight year barring accident or illness.
